Kharkiv Choral Synagogue

Coordinates: 49°59′32.78″N 36°14′5.51″E / 49.9924389°N 36.2348639°E / 49.9924389; 36.2348639
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Kharkiv Choral Synagogue
Ukrainian: Харківська хоральна синагога
The synagogue in 2008
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteChabad
Ecclesiastical or organisational status
  • Synagogue (1913–1923)
  • Communal use (1923–1980)
  • Synagogue (since 1980)
LeadershipMoshe Moskovitz
StatusActive
Location
Location12 Pushkinska Street, Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast 61057
CountryUkraine
Kharkiv Choral Synagogue is located in Ukraine
Kharkiv Choral Synagogue
Location of the synagogue in Ukraine
Geographic coordinates49°59′32.78″N 36°14′5.51″E / 49.9924389°N 36.2348639°E / 49.9924389; 36.2348639
Architecture
Architect(s)
  • Yakov Gevirts (1913)
  • Mikhail Piskunov (1913)
  • Vladimir Novgorodov (2003)
TypeSynagogue architecture
Style
Groundbreaking1909 (1909)
Completed1913; 2003 (renovations)
Construction costRbl 150,000
Specifications
Length50 m (160 ft)
Interior area2,067 m2 (22,250 sq ft)
Height (max)42 m (138 ft)
Dome(s)One
MaterialsBrick
Website
www.jewishkharkov.org Edit this at Wikidata

The Kharkiv Choral Synagogue (Ukrainian: Харківська хоральна синагога) is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, located at 12 Pushkinska Street, Kharkiv, in the Kharkiv Oblast of Ukraine. The Chabad congregation worships in the synagogue, also called Beit Menachem, reportedly the largest synagogue in Ukraine, and a building of architectural significance.

History[edit]

The building is located on the site of a former Jewish prayer house, in use from 1867.[1]

A building design competition for the synagogue was launched under the auspices of the St. Petersburg Imperial Society of Architects. From a selection of seventeen entrants, St. Petersburg architect Yakov Gevirts submitted the winning design; construction began in 1909 and was completed in 1913 at a cost of 150,000 Soviet rubles.[2] Local architect, Mikhail Piskunov, supervised the synagogue's construction.[1]

In June 1923, the synagogue was closed at the insistence of Jewish workers, nationalized by the government, and used by a Jewish worker's club, part of the Comintern.[3] The local Yevsektsiya declared the day a holiday. A march to the synagogue was organized, with a group of Jewish workers carrying a red flag into the building. Moscow's Der Emes declared the synagogue a "counterrevolutionary nest" and claimed that Torah scrolls in the synagogue had been dedicated to the Tsar.[4] The building then served a variety of uses including housing a club, cinema and a sport complex and was not used as a place of worship until 1990.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, various Jewish groups struggled for control of the synagogue. Edward Khodos created an organization to represent the members of Reform Judaism and asserted control of the synagogue. Representatives of Chabad made competing claims, and for a period both groups operated in the building. In 1993, Khodos operated on the synagogue's second floor, where according to reports he conducted his antiques business and set up a Friday night kick-boxing club for local children.[5][6]

In 1998, a fire gutted the synagogue and it was officially turned over to Chabad. Extensive renovations were completed in 2003.[7]

Architecture[edit]

The building design is described as a combination of Romano-Gothic, Gothic Revival, and Moorish Revival styles.[8] The competition jury wrote of Gevirtz's designs:[1]

The entire structure is a serene and beautifully accomplished mass, which is not without poetical interest. The author’s imagination produced a dazzling remainder of large wall spans of the ancient edifices in Palestine.

The building is 42 metres (138 ft) tall at the dome and 50 metres (160 ft) long, with a total area of 2,067 square metres (22,250 sq ft). Unlike the other buildings on the block, it is set back from the street to conform with local laws requiring a certain distance from churches and other houses of worship.[1][9]

The synagogue today[edit]

The synagogue is a center for Jewish life in Kharkiv and an important city landmark. Jewish holidays are celebrated at the synagogue by Jews and non-Jews alike. A Hanukkah celebration drew Petro Yushchenko, then governor Arsen Avakov, and national media coverage.[10] Other events include a tribute for Kharkiv's Jewish World War II veterans.[11]

The synagogue is run by Chabad, which has its Kharkiv headquarters there and also maintains a mikveh, yeshiva, and other facilities,[12] including a school of 500 Jewish children in grades 1-11 and a kindergarten of 70 children.[13] The synagogue's current Rabbi, Moshe Moskovitz, is also the chief rabbi of Kharkiv.[14]

Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes has attended a Purim celebration[15] and the wedding of Rabbi Moskowitz's daughter[16] in the synagogue.

In March 2022, the synagogue was partially damaged as a result of Russian bombing during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[17]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Kravtsov, Sergey (2022). "Choral Synagogue in Kharkiv" (PDF). Series Byzantina: Ukrainica. 2. Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  2. ^ "The History of the Kharkiv Choral Synagogue". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Synagogue". Ukraine Vision. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  4. ^ Levin, Nora (1990). The Jews in the Soviet Union Since 1917: Paradox of Survival, Volume 1. New York and London: New York University Press. p. 77. ISBN 9780814750513.
  5. ^ Fishkoff, Sue. "Scrum over possession of Kharkov shuls". Jewish Telegraph Agency. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  6. ^ Gidwitz, Betsy. "JEWISH LIFE IN UKRAINE AT THE DAWN OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: PART ONE". No. 451 8 Nisan 5761 / 1 April 2001. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Great Choral Synagogue". Skyscraper.com. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  8. ^ "The History of the Kharkiv Choral Synagogue". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  9. ^ Lando, Michal. "The Kharkov camp question". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Kharkov for Chanukah - the place where everyone wants to be". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  11. ^ "Kharkov Synagogue Hosts Gala Event For WWII Veterans". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  12. ^ "Chabad of Kharkov". Chabad.org. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Greeting Moshiach With Song". beismoschiach.org. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Thousands of Jews Rely on Chabad at Kharkov Games". crownheights.info. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  15. ^ "Purim in the Kharkov Circus!". crownheights.info. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  16. ^ "Korf-Moskovitz Wedding". chabadinfo.com. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  17. ^ Hoare, Liam (31 March 2022). "Russian shelling shatters Kharkiv's Jewish heritage". Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
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